Three bodies would 're-energise' area

CHESHIRE'S six district councils pledged that local government would be re-energised and firmly rooted in local communities if plans to establish three modern, all-purpose councils for the county were adopted.

CHESHIRE'S six district councils pledged that local government would be re-energised and firmly rooted in local communities if plans to establish three modern, all-purpose councils for the county were adopted.

The councils have submitted more detailed proposals to The Boundary Committee for England ahead of this autumn's referendum on a Regional Assembly for the North West. If there is a Yes vote, county and district councils will disappear, to be replaced by new councils responsible for all local services.

The Boundary Committee has been seeking views on three options for local government reorganisation. It will now consider all the submissions, which have been sent to it by organisations and individuals, and will make final recommendations to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by May 25 for at least two options to appear on the ballot paper.

Chester City Council leader David Evans, on behalf of the six districts, said: 'This has been a unique and exciting period for all six councils.

'We have seized this opportunity to step back and take a completely fresh view of the way the excellent services we have in the county can best be developed with local people and with other organisations for the future.

'We are determined that the people of Cheshire should have modern, dynamic, responsive and easy to understand councils.

'They must reflect local needs and local situations, and take advantage of the best new thinking across all the services that will be provided.' The districts' submission also states that, while they believe strongly that three councils offer the best solution for Cheshire, their second choice would be for two councils to be established, based on existing district councils.